The council also agreed the budget for the next financial year, addressing the £56m budget gap, resulting from a tough financial settlement from Westminster.

Councillors identified £30m of extra annual savings, as well as drawing on £22m of the council’s reserves to help meet the financial shortfall. The council tax rise will bring in a further £4m.

Areas where budgets will see little reduction include safeguarding for children and adults, flood risk management, and fire and rescue.

Executive Councillor for finance and property, Councillor Marc Jones, said: “The budget for the next year takes a sensible and pragmatic approach so we can continue providing the best possible services to people in the face of growing demand and further financial uncertainty.

“Through careful housekeeping, we have built reserves up over the years. When times were better we saved for a rainy day. This budget uses some of these funds to meet our financial challenges in the short term, but we can’t be complacent. Our savings can only be spent once.”

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